The first batch of 30 Sarpanches left for week-long exposure tour to Andhra Pradesh and Kerala States on July 3. The tour is being organised by Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department.

Addressing the Sarpanches, Gyal P Wangyal, CEC said that it is important to strengthen Panchayati Raj System to ensure people’s participation and development at the grass root level and conducting such exposure tour would play a great role in capacity building of our Panchayats. He emphasised to take maximum advantage of the field exposure tour so that Panchayats could deliver much better on the ground.

CEC stressed on the need to maintain close coordination and cordial relation between Councilors and Sarpanches while implementing developmental works across the district. He said that Hill Council and PRI are two vital governing bodies in the district and urged all to work closely with a similar objective for the overall welfare of our own people.

Gyal further asked the Panchayats to keep a close monitor on all developmental works in their respective areas and should lodge complaints with higher authorities in case they witness any kind of inferior or substandard works anywhere.

Earlier, the District Panchayat Officer, Zakir Hussain welcoming the CEC and the Panchayat members highlighted the core objective of this exposure tour. He said that similar exposure tours will also be conducted for remaining Panchayat members in two phases keeping in mind Panchayat’s vital role in grass root developmental process.

Tsering Paldan, Assistant Commissioner Development in his address apprised the CEC that the department has been continuously conducting capacity building training and workshops to the newly elected Panchayats members of Leh district since its inception besides disseminating information and knowledge among them about the State and Centrally sponsored schemes.

He mentioned that the first batch of 30 Panchayat members are being sent for field exposure tour in such States where Panchayati Raj system is well structured and organised.